A need for plywood to board up homes led to a congested area around the 84 Lumber Depot at 3530 Old Metro Parkway in Fort Myers on Thursday.

The Fort Myers Police Department sent out a traffic advisory shortly before 1 p.m. alerting drivers to the congested condition in the vicinity of Old Metro and Hanson Street.

Officers were at either end of Old Metro directing traffic and had, in effect turned the road into a one-way street.

"At this time all traffic on Old Metro is Southbound only as customers are creating traffic issues while purchasing plywood and other storm supplies," the FMPD alert said. "Drivers are asked to avoid the area unless they have business with merchants who are still open."

Drivers were backed up about a mile down Old Metro from 84 Lumber to Hanson, around the corner on Hanson to Evans Avenue and about a quarter-mile down Evans.

Most were seeking lumber and some had spent up to three hours in line.

Jon Julian had waited about an hour and was still close to Hanson on Old Metro.

"I have three big sliders to cover," the resident of The Villas in Fort Myers, said. "We go some already up. I just need six sheets.

U.S. Postal worker Earl Van Wert, sitting in a parking lot and unable to get out, was incredulous at the commotion.

"I only moved here a month ago, from California," he said. "This is all for 84 Lumber? Dang!"